Following its closure for nearly nine weeks due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions, the City Mall reopened last week and those concessionaires who have resumed selling say business has been slow.
Despite restrictions preventing the operations of some businesses not classified as essential services, a number have moved to reopen.
During a visit to the reopened mall, Stabroek News observed that upon entering persons were required to have their hands sprayed with sanitizer. They were also required to wear a face mask.
However, there were just a few persons conducting business at the mall, which during the pre-COVID-19 period would usually have a fair amount of persons conducting business or dining. The food court has been barricaded to prevent persons from dining in the mall.
At least one food stall has placed stickers to direct customers where to stand in order to maintain physical distancing.
Michelle John, the owner of Barakah Herbal and Beauty Shop, told Stabroek News that the closure of the mall had made life very difficult for her.
The business owner, who recently resumed operations, said business is slow “but it is better than just being home.”
She described business now as challenging but noted that she too needed to pay her bills. “Some days it is okay, and some days it is not. Overall it is lower than high,” she said.
She added that she is following all the precautionary protocols to ensure everyone stays safe.
Samantha Higgins, an employee at Farley’s Digital Art Plus, told this newspaper that the closure of the mall had prevented her from earning and paying bills.
However, now that the mall has reopened, Higgins said business is not like normal. “Some days people come, some days they don’t,” she said, before adding that she is sanitising all her supplies after a customer leaves.
To protect herself, she is using a face mask and practising proper hand hygiene.
Elizabeth Hohenkirk, the owner of Kards Plus, told Stabroek News that while the mall was officially reopened a week earlier, she only reopened her business to customers on Monday.
She said she used the first week to do a complete cleansing of the items in her store.
The store is now operating at reduced hours and is requiring persons to sanitise their hands as they enter.
Hohenkirk also said no one is allowed to enter without the use of a face mask. Signs are also placed on the door to inform customers of the new safety measures.
The business owner, who want to keep safe, is following all the guidelines set out by the Health Ministry.
In relation to sales, she said, business was slow.
Stabroek News also reached out to the owner of Mobile Tech, who told this newspapers that the closure of the mall had caused huge financial setbacks.
He said traffic is not what it was, so there is presently no issue with social distancing.
However, persons are required to be wearing a face mask before entering his store.
He added that items are also sanitised when customers leave the store.
It was observed that signs were placed about the store to inform persons of the safety measures to be taken.
This store owner is hoping that business picks up soon to make up for lost time.
Although he said he knows it won’t happen immediately, he added that he is still hopeful.
At a beauty store in the mall this newspaper observed an employee sanitising items. The employee, who asked not to be named, said she is happy to be back out working.
